Advertise on podcast: Feel Good French | Empowering Intermediate French Learners

In 1920s Paris, Sylvia Beach takes the risk of publishing James Joyce’s Ulysses. Discover Shakespeare and Company and its community of writers in slow French, with French and English subtitles displayed together in the Spotify video. Extraordinary Lives in France · Season 2, Episode 12 With Déborah from Feel Good French. How did Sylvia and Adrienne Monnier find the money and readers to bring Ulysses into print? Explore this English-language lending library and the freedom writers sought in Paris. Expressions: se serrer les coudes (support one another); ne pas avoir froid aux yeux (be bold); avoir du pain sur la planche (have a lot of work ahead); tomber à pic (arrive at the right time). Follow the show and leave an honest rating to support the series. Listen next: Ernest Hemingway and the lost suitcase. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0GIxVck63Ofnw13FtQ0StM CHAPTERS 00:00 A small bookshop takes a publishing risk 01:00 Meet Sylvia Beach in Paris 01:39 A lending library and a community 03:07 Why Paris attracted American artists 03:42 Adrienne Monnier, across the street 04:17 James Joyce and Ulysses 05:12 Finding the money to publish 06:04 A telegram and a birthday deadline 07:03 The bookshop closes; the lending continues 07:42 Hemingway and a question for you Music: “Cafe Regrette” by Asher Fulero. Image sources and credits (video version): Sylvia Beach (right) and James Joyce (left), doorway — photographer unknown; published in The Publishers Weekly, 12 Apr 1924, p.1261; scan Internet Archive Margaret Anderson, 1951 — Dick DeMarsico / New York World-Telegram & Sun 8 rue Dupuytren, 2013 — Jim Linwood; CC BY 2.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_first_Shakespeare_and_Company_Bookshop,_8_Rue_Dupuytren_-_Paris_2013.jpg Odéon bookstalls, 1917 — Charles Lansiaux / Paris Musées, Musée Carnavalet; CC0 Hemingway lending card — Sylvia Beach Papers, Special Collections, Princeton University Library. Courtesy of Princeton University Library; No Known Copyright https://shakespeareandco.princeton.edu/members/hemingway-ernest/cards/ Ernest Hemingway, Paris, c.1924 — photographer unspecified / JFK Library, EH 5738P; public-domain release, VRT 2011070410000468 Rue de Seine, 1924 — Eugène Atget / Paris Musées, Musée Carnavalet; CC0 La Rotonde, 1924 — Agence Rol / BnF 12 rue de l’Odéon, 2014 — David McSpadden; CC BY 2.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:12_Rue_Od%C3%A9on,_Paris_May_2014.jpg Adrienne Monnier in her shop, c.1925 — Henri Manuel; CC BY 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Photographie_d%27Adrienne_Monnier_dans_sa_librairie_par_Henri_Manuel.jpg James Joyce, c.1918 — Camille Ruf Adrienne Monnier’s back room — Henri Manuel; CC BY 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adrienne_Monnier_dans_l%27arri%C3%A8re-boutique_de_sa_librairie_par_Henri_Manuel.jpg Ulysses, 1922 print-run page — James Joyce / Shakespeare and Company; scan Erakis Ulysses first edition — The Little Museum of Dublin; CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ulysses_by_James_Joyce_-_first_edition,_1922.jpg Rue de l’Odéon today — Ralf.treinen; CC BY-SA 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paris_rue_de_l_odeon1.jpg Café Voltaire, place de l’Odéon — Eugène Atget / Paris Musées, Musée Carnavalet; CC0 Licences: CC0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ ; CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ ; CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ ; CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ ; CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ . Photos fitted, cropped and animated; CC BY-SA image adaptations retain their respective licences.

They fall in love in Paris without speaking each other’s language. So why don’t Miles Davis and Juliette Gréco build a life together? In 1949, a concert at Salle Pleyel brings Miles and Juliette together. Follow their walks along the Seine, the contrast with a difficult dinner in New York, and his return to France to create the music for Ascenseur pour l’échafaud, starring Jeanne Moreau. A story about love, recognition and the barriers between two worlds, told in slow French with French and English subtitles by Déborah at Feel Good French. French conversation groupWould you like to discuss the episode in a small French conversation group? Join the waiting list here. Expressions explained de fil en aiguille — one thing leads to anotherse heurter à — to come up against an obstacleporter tort à quelqu’un — to cause someone harmIf you want to say “Déborah, continue this series!”, follow the show, leave an honest rating and share your thoughts in the comments. Chapters00:00 Miles & Juliette: love without a shared language01:00 Miles Davis arrives in Paris, 194901:40 A backstage encounter at Salle Pleyel02:26 Juliette’s circle: Sartre and a different welcome03:49 A difficult dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria05:04 Back in France: Ascenseur pour l’échafaud07:11 Sartre asks: why not marry?08:22 Nina Simone and a question for you09:22 Join the French conversation group Music: “Cafe Regrette” by Asher Fulero; “The Jazz Messenger” by Vendla / Epidemic Sound. Image attribution: “Parijs 1949” by René Defonseca / Family Defonseca; family archive Smiley Toerist. Cropped and animated; adapted image under CC BY-SA 4.0.Source photograph | License

Learn French through the true story of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald on the French Riviera. In Saint-Raphaël in 1924, Scott works on The Great Gatsby while their marriage reaches a crisis. Years later, Zelda writes her own novel about their shared life—and Scott objects. How can two people live the same story and disagree over who may tell it? In this episode of Extraordinary Lives in France, Déborah tells their story in slow, clear French for intermediate learners and francophiles. Expressions to learn: • marcher sur les plates-bandes de quelqu’un — to enter territory someone considers theirs • avoir son mot à dire — to have a say Want to discuss the episode in a small French conversation group? Join the interest list: https://tally.so/r/0Q4DqZ #SlowFrench #LearnFrench #FrenchListeningPractice #FrenchPodcast #ScottFitzgerald #ZeldaFitzgerald #FrenchRiviera #movetofrance #FrenchStories

Jackie Kennedy wants to bring the Mona Lisa to the United States. Louvre curators fear the journey could damage it. How does a former student of French, with no elected office, help turn a dinner promise into a national art loan? In this episode of Extraordinary Lives in France, follow Jackie from her year in Paris to her work at the White House, her friendship with André Malraux and the painting’s journey in 1962–63. Listen in clear, slow French, with useful expressions explained as the story unfolds and French and English subtitles in the video version. Would you like to discuss this story in a small French conversation group? Join the interest list here: https://tally.so/r/0Q4DqZ Expressions in this episode: - la soif de connaissances — a thirst for knowledge - le patrimoine — cultural heritage - un prêt — a loan If you enjoyed this episode, listen next to Julia Child’s story about the French meal that changed her life. Photo credit: Mona Lisa photograph by Fred Romero, cropped for video, CC BY 2.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci_-_Mona_Lisa_(31319341901).jpg | License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ Other archival images: Wikimedia Commons, JFK Presidential Library and Museum, and Bibliothèque nationale de France. Music: “Cafe Regrette” by Asher Fulero. #JackieKennedy #SlowFrench #LearnFrench #FrenchListeningPractice

At La Pyramide in Vienne, young Anthony Bourdain waits in the car with his brother while their parents enjoy a French meal. Later, on an oyster farmer’s boat in Arcachon Bay, he gets his own chance to impress them. Why did tasting one raw oyster stay with him long after he became a chef, writer and traveler? Listen in clear, slow French, with useful expressions explained as the story unfolds. Would you like to talk about this story in French? I’m forming a small conversation group for listeners of Extraordinary Lives in France. Tell me about your French and availability to join the interest list; I’ll let you know when enrolment opens: https://tally.so/r/0Q4DqZ Expressions in this episode: • avoir du caractère — to be strong-willed • prendre goût à quelque chose — to grow to like something • les coulisses — behind the scenes • savourer — to take time to enjoy • les mois en « r » — the traditional oyster season, September to April #SlowFrench #LearnFrench #FrenchListeningPractice #AnthonyBourdain

At 24, James Baldwin left America for Paris. He had little money, spoke little French, and had not yet published a novel. So why did he leave everything behind?In this episode of Extraordinary Lives in France, discover how France changed James Baldwin’s life and writing, from his difficult early years in Paris to Go Tell It on the Mountain and Giovanni’s Room, and finally to the beautiful village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where he made his home.Along the way, we’ll discover some surprising details: the restaurant incident that helped push Baldwin to leave America, the famous writers and musicians who visited his home in Provence, and the little room he jokingly called his “torture chamber.”This story is told in clear, natural Slow French for intermediate learners. Turn on the French or English subtitles if you need them, slow down the playback speed, and simply enjoy the story.🇫🇷 Feel Good French: discover extraordinary lives, places and stories in France while naturally improving your French.💌 Stay ConnectedNewsletter: https://shorturl.at/379V0Facebook Group – Retiring in France: / feelgoodfrench Website: https://feelgoodfrench.comWho should I tell you about next? Anyone in minde? Tell me in the comments.#FrenchPodcast #StoriesinFrench #JamesBaldwin #SlowFrench #LearnFrench #FrenchListening #FrenchCulture

Before he became the author of Animal Farm and 1984, George Orwell was a struggling young man living in Paris. His dream was to become a writer. Instead, he found himself broke, hungry, and working as a dishwasher in the hidden kitchens of Paris. In this Slow French story, discover the little-known years that shaped one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century while naturally improving your French. You’ll also learn authentic French expressions such as: • être dans la dèche• être fauché• ne plus avoir un rond• toucher le fond• métro, boulot, dodo Level: A2–B1 Come for the story.Leave with better French.

Pourquoi Nina Simone a-t-elle choisi de quitter les États-Unis pour vivre dans un petit village du sud de la France ? Dans cet épisode de Slow French Story, découvrez l’histoire touchante de Nina Simone, l’une des plus grandes chanteuses américaines du XXᵉ siècle. Après des années de succès, de combats et de souffrance, elle quitte son pays à la recherche d’un peu de paix. En Provence, elle trouve un refuge. Pas une vie parfaite, mais un endroit où reprendre son souffle. Une histoire vraie racontée en français lent, idéale pour les apprenants de niveau A2-B1 qui souhaitent améliorer leur compréhension tout en découvrant la culture et l’histoire de la France. Dans cet épisode, vous découvrirez également du vocabulaire utile, des expressions naturelles et une immersion dans la vie de Nina Simone en France. 00:00 Introduction – Nina Simone arrive en Provence 00:42 Pourquoi quitte-t-elle les États-Unis ? 01:57 Le combat pour les droits civiques 02:55 La France, un refuge pour les artistes 04:05 Une nouvelle vie à Carry-le-Rouet 05:18 « Ne me quitte pas » et le public français 06:24 Peut-on vraiment recommencer sa vie ailleurs ? 07:10 Conclusion 🇫🇷 Bonne écoute !

Learn French with a Slow French story about Gertrude Stein, the American writer and art collector who moved to Paris at 29 and built a new life in France. At 27 rue de Fleurus, Picasso, Matisse, Hemingway and Fitzgerald came to see her paintings, discuss art and hear her opinion. Perfect for A2, B1 and B2 learners who want French listening practice through culture, history, art, Paris, expat life and true stories of people who started a new chapter in France. Transcript and PDF: www.feelgoodfrench.com

Slow French podcast for intermediate French learners. Improve your French listening skills while discovering how Ernest Hemingway’s years in Paris changed his life forever. In this episode of Extraordinary Lives in France, we explore the story of Ernest Hemingway, a young American writer who arrived in Paris in the 1920s dreaming of becoming an author. Living among the cafés of Montparnasse, Shakespeare and Company, and the artists of the Lost Generation, Hemingway slowly found his voice. Then one day, almost all of his early writing disappeared in a lost suitcase at the Gare de Lyon. This true story is about Paris, writing, resilience, and starting over. It is also a story that many expats and lovers of France will recognize: arriving in a new country, building a new life, and discovering a new version of yourself. This Slow French podcast is designed for intermediate learners (A2-B1) and anyone interested in French culture, French history, Paris, literature, and authentic French listening practice. 00:00 Hemingway’s lost suitcase01:20 Welcome to Extraordinary Lives in France01:50 Ernest Hemingway arrives in Paris03:15 Montparnasse cafés and expatriate life05:15 Shakespeare and Company06:45 Gertrude Stein and the Lost Generation07:45 The lost manuscripts at Gare de Lyon09:40 Learning to write after loss10:45 Paris as a blank page11:35 A Moveable Feast12:00 Question for listeners and French learners #SlowFrench #LearnFrench #FrenchPodcast #FrenchListeningPractice #IntermediateFrench #LearnFrenchThroughStories #ErnestHemingway #Paris #FrenchCulture #ExtraordinaryLivesInFrance #FrenchPodcastA2 #FrenchPodcastB1 #LearnFrench #FrenchStories #FeelGoodFrench #MovetoFrance

Learn French with this Slow French podcast. Every Wednesday, we discover an extraordinary life connected to France while improving our French naturally through storytelling. Last week, we explored the life of Josephine Baker. Today, we’re discovering Julia Child, the American woman who introduced French cuisine to America. In 1948, Julia Child arrived in France with no idea that her life was about to change forever. She was 36 years old. She wasn’t a chef. She wasn’t famous. And she still hadn’t found her true calling. Then, during a lunch stop in Normandy, she tasted a simple French dish called Sole Meunière. That meal would change everything. In this episode of Extraordinary Lives in France, you’ll discover how Julia Child fell in love with France, studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and eventually introduced French cuisine to millions of Americans through her books and television shows. You’ll discover: • The meal that changed Julia Child’s life• Her connection to World War II• How she met her husband Paul Child• Life in post-war France• Her training at Le Cordon Bleu• The story behind Mastering the Art of French Cooking• How she became America’s most famous ambassador of French cuisine Perfect for intermediate French learners (A2-B1), francophiles, expats, and anyone who loves France, history, culture, and inspiring true stories. 🎧 New episode every Wednesday. 👇 Tell me in the comments: Which extraordinary life connected to France should I cover next? #SlowFrench #LearnFrench #FrenchListeningPractice #FrenchCulture #JuliaChild #FrenchPodcast #LearnFrenchThroughStories #IntermediateFrench #France #ComprehensibleFrench

Joséphine Baker arrived in Paris as a young American dancer and became one of the most famous women in France. But her story did not stop on the stage. During World War II, she risked her life to help the French Resistance and later became a symbol of freedom, courage and equality. In this Slow French episode (A2–B1), discover the extraordinary life of Joséphine Baker while improving your French naturally through storytelling. Extraordinary Lives in France is a weekly podcast for French learners, francophiles, future expats and anyone who loves French culture, history and inspiring stories. New episodes every Wednesday.

Feel Like French Speakers Don’t Have Patience? These Affirmations Will Change the Way You Speak...Struggling to speak French as an expat in France? Do you freeze when speaking French, afraid of being judged or misunderstood? Feel like people don’t have time to listen, so you end up switching to English? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Through bilingual affirmations (in English and French), this episode helps you: Rewire your mindset using NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Release shame and fear around speaking Reconnect with your confidence and identity Feel safe expressing yourself in French, even with your accentThis is a calming, beginner-friendly experience designed to help you grow into the French version of yourself — without losing who you are. Perfect for expats, retirees, and anyone stuck in the expat bubble. 🎧 Just press play, breathe deeply, and let your voice evolve. 💬 What you'll experience in this episode 🧘‍♀️ Let the French language soak in — naturally and gently. Do you still need some support? Book a coaching session with me here : https://feelgoodfrench.com/french-courses/ Hashtags:#LearnFrench #SpeakFrench #ExpatInFrance #LifeInFrance #FrenchForBeginners #CultureShock #ParisLife #RetireInFrance #FrenchLanguage #FrenchMindset #LivingInFrance #MoveToFrance #AffirmationsForConfidence #BilingualAffirmations #MindsetShift #LanguageLearningMindset #NLPforLanguageLearning #FrenchAffirmations #ConfidenceToSpeak #FrenchWithConfidence #FeelGoodFrench #FrenchJourney #SpeakFrenchWithoutFear

Vocabulaire du podcast en français + Traduction anglaise 🛋 Ambiance et confort Se pelotonner dans un plaid = To snuggle up in a blanket S’emmitoufler dans un gros pull en laine = To wrap yourself up in a thick wool sweater Un canapé douillet = A cozy couch Une lumière tamisée = Soft, dim lighting Une ambiance feutrée = A soft, muted atmosphere 🕯 Lumière & atmosphère Allumer une bougie parfumée = To light a scented candle Les crépitements du bois dans la cheminée = The crackling of wood in the fireplace Regarder la neige tomber derrière la fenêtre = To watch the snow fall outside the window 🍵 Gourmandises & boissons Un chocolat chaud épais et onctueux = A thick and creamy hot chocolate Une brioche à la cannelle (kanelbullar) = A cinnamon bun Des biscuits au gingembre (pepparkakor) = Ginger cookies Un vin chaud épicé (gløgg) = Mulled wine with spices Une soupe maison bien chaude = A homemade hot soup 📜 Expressions Cocooner = To stay cozy at home Se mettre au coin du feu = To sit by the fireplace Prendre du bon temps = To enjoy a good moment 📖 Télécharge la transcription de la vidéo GRATUITE ici → https://feelgoodfrench.com/free-stuff/ 📚 Tu veux progresser en français avec moi ? Réserve un cours 1:1 → https://feelgoodfrench.com/french-courses/conversational-french/🔥 Qu’est-ce que le Hygge ? Le secret scandinave du bonheur Comment le Danemark, la Norvège, la Suède et la Finlande figurent-ils parmi les pays les plus heureux du monde malgré des hivers longs et sombres ? Leur secret pourrait bien être le hygge, l’art danois du confort, de la chaleur et des petits plaisirs simples. 🎙️ Dans cet épisode, tu découvriras : ✔️ Ce que signifie vraiment le hygge et comment l’adopter au quotidien ✔️ L’importance d’un éclairage doux, de matières naturelles et de textures réconfortantes ✔️ Les gourmandises hivernales et boissons chaudes qui apportent de la chaleur à ton intérieur ✔️ Une liste d’expressions françaises liées au bien-être et au confortUne façon idéale d’améliorer ta compréhension orale en français tout en explorant un concept culturel inspirant. ⏳ TIMESTAMPS – 00:00 🎧 Introduction + Présentation du podcast – 01:10 ❄️ Pourquoi les pays scandinaves sont-ils si heureux ? – 02:30 🔥 Créer une ambiance hyggelig : matières & textures – 04:00 🍵 Pâtisseries et boissons chaudes réconfortantes – 05:30 💡 Lumière tamisée et bougies parfumées : les essentiels du hygge – 07:00 🌲 Les petits plaisirs de l’hiver, version hygge – 08:40🎙 Conclusion + Transcription 📖 Télécharge ta transcription GRATUITE → https://feelgoodfrench.com/free-stuff/ 🎧 Abonne-toi pour plus de podcasts immersifs en français #LearnFrench #FrenchListening #FrenchComprehension #Hygge #IntermediateFrench #FrenchVocabulary #FrancaisFacile #FrenchCulture #frenchpodcast #FrenchLesson #Delf #FrenchListeningPractice #easyfrench #easylanguages #ApprendreleFrancais #languagelearning #FeelGoodFrench #FrançaisB1 #comprehensibleinput #FrenchFluency #frenchfaster #ParlerFrancais #frenchcoaching #Fluencycoach #frenchlanguagepodcasts #advancedfrenchpodcasts

L’ESPÉRANTO : UNE LANGUE SECRÈTE QUI POURRAIT CHANGER LE MONDE ? 📖 GRATUIT : Télécharge la transcription ici → https://feelgoodfrench.com/free-stuff/ 📚 Améliore ton français avec moi en cours 1:1 → https://feelgoodfrench.com/french-courses/ L'Esperanto est une langue ultra-simple, conçue pour unir l’humanité… mais que presque personne ne parle.Pourquoi l’espéranto n’a-t-il jamais remplacé l’anglais ? Qui parle vraiment cette langue aujourd’hui ?Et surtout… peut-elle encore avoir un avenir ? 🎙 Dans cet épisode, découvre :✔️ L’histoire fascinante de l’espéranto et son créateur✔️ Comment cette langue permet de voyager gratuitement✔️ L’histoire incroyable d’un couple franco-chinois qui ne communique qu’en espéranto✔️ Pourquoi certains veulent en faire une langue officielle de l’UE✔️ Des mots et phrases faciles en espéranto – à toi de tester ! Une histoire méconnue, une langue mystérieuse… et une utopie qui résiste encore. 00:00 – 📢 Introduction + Télécharge ta transcription gratuite00:30 – 🌀 Pourquoi parle-t-on encore d’espéranto aujourd’hui ?01:45 – 🔥 Une langue inventée pour la paix03:10 – 🚆 L’histoire folle d’un cheminot espérantiste04:30 – ✈️ Voyager grâce à l’espéranto05:45 – 🏛 L’espéranto et l’Union Européenne : une langue officielle ?07:00 – 📖 Des mots et phrases faciles en espéranto !08:20 – 🔮 L’espéranto a-t-il un avenir ?09:00 – 🎙 Conclusion + Cours de français avec moi ! ✨ 📖 TRANSCRIPTION GRATUITE → https://feelgoodfrench.com/free-stuff/🎧 Abonne-toi pour plus de podcasts en français ! #LearnFrench #FrenchPodcast #IntermediateFrench #Esperanto #FrenchListening #FeelGoodFrench #FrancaisFacile #ImproveYourFrench #LangueSecrète #LangueUniverselle #FrenchComprehension #IntermediateFrench #FrenchVocabulary #FrancaisFacile #FrenchCulture #FrenchLesson #Delf #FrenchListeningPractice #easyfrench #easylanguages #ApprendreleFrancais #languagelearning #FeelGoodFrench #FrançaisB1 #comprehensibleinput #FrenchFluency #frenchfaster #ParlerFrancais #frenchcoaching #Fluencycoach #frenchlanguagepodcasts #advancedfrenchpodcasts